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A toast to 20 years of service

Toastmasters marks two decades in Oak Bay

Oak Bay Toastmasters celebrates 20 years Tuesday.

Founded in November 1994 as GVHS Toastmasters, it was revived in May 1998 as the Oak Bay Toastmasters we know today.

“Toastmasters is not just communication, it’s leadership skills and it really does assist you on a path to that,” said John Sherber, also a Distinguished Toastmaster with Oak Bay who serves as district governor. “It’s an amazing organization.”

He’s been a member since 2001.

Tuesday evening agendas generally include three prepared speeches and a series of impromptu talks to keep everyone involved in the meeting. The Toastmasters International program is designed to help develop skills in speaking, listening and providing constructive supportive evaluations as well as organizing and conducting meetings.

The two paths – communication and leadership – of the organization are by design, says Sherry Morgan, competent communicator and current vice-president of public relations.

Morgan began in Toastmasters in Toronto and joined last year in Oak Bay after moving west.

“I want to be confident and comfortable and effective,” she said.

“People’s goals are anything from being less shy, learning to speak the language better to communicating better. For me, I have some important things to say and I want to say them in an effective way.”

Each year for the last 15, the Oak Bay Toastmasters club has earned the President’s Distinguished Club status honour from Toastmasters International. For more than a decade the group has met at St. Patrick Parish Hall, 2060 Haultain St. They gather on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.

They celebrate 20 years with a special fun agenda and invite the public and past members to enjoy the meeting and have some cake. Fun starts a little early at 7:15 p.m. upstairs at the parish hall.

Learn more about the club at oakbaytoastmasters.ca.

cvanreeuwyk@oak

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